NFMS reports on "Before You Text"
Internet Ed. @ MS and the newest challenges for our children
A few examples of how we educate our students, at the middle school level, on internet use skills.
Digital Foot Print
Who are you Online?
When do you post, when do you not post?
The video clip below is part of the middle school counselors "Photo Fate" lesson.
For further educating, the NFMS Counselors provide the following links on their webpage and on the NFMS's Internet Safety page. Click on the titles, here, to check out the links.
THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WANTS TO EDUCATE PARENTS AND SCHOOLS: BEFORE YOU TEXT
"Before You Text" Sexting Prevention Educational Program: A Summary brought to you.
A link to the full slide show: http://www.ctyouthservices.org/Customer-Content/WWW/CMS/files/Before_You_Text_Curriculum.pdf
What is Sexting?
Megan's Story: A story of sexting and a lesson on how you can't get back what you post or control where it goes and who sees it.
What are the general consequences of sexting?
Social Consequences: even though you may engage in sexting just to get someone's attention or to be funny, there is a good chance it could have a negative effect on your relationships with friends or family, and even your reputation. (State of CT, module 2)
Emotional Consequences: when your relationships with friends or family are negatively affected by sexting, this can be hard on you emotionally and linger much longer than you might think. (State of CT, module 2)
Educational & Career: your decision to sext could prevent you from participating in activities at school, getting into college, or even getting a job- especially if sexually explicit pictures or videos of you end up on the Internet. (State of CT module 3)
For an in depth set of explanations and examples, to get a better understanding of how significant the impact of these consequences can affect a person, please click on this link: http://www.ctyouthservices.org/Customer-Content/WWW/CMS/files/Before_You_Text_Curriculum.pdf (review module 4). It is an excellent resource of what may happen to you, your friends, your families and even your education and career.
What does the state of Connecticut recognize as sexting?
- The knowing and voluntary transmission, by means of an electronic communications device, of a visual depiction of the sender, who is thirteen years of age or older but under the age of sixteen, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, to a person who is thirteen years of age but under that age of eighteen.
- The possession, by a person who is thirteen years of age or older but under the age of eighteen, of a visual depiction of the sender, between thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
To break it down, to qualify for the reduced penalty of sexting, the following must all be present:
- The sender must be 13, 14, or 15 years of age;
- The recipient must be 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 years of age;
- The sender must be the subject of the depiction (picture or video).
TAKE NOTE: When is the possession, sending, or receiving images of a person under 16 engaged in sexually explicit conduct no longer misdemeanor sexting but it becomes a felony charge?
- If the sender is under 13
- If the recipient is under that age of 13 or over that age of 17
- If the depiction is of someone other than the sender
In these situations, the more serious child pornography or risk of injury to a minor charges may apply. (State of CT, module 3)